Buffer for locomotives



Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,179

H. S. WILSCN BUFFER FOR LOCOMOTIVES Filed Feb.l9, 1927 fin, .1.

I'll/1 1 v E I /5 m I I Inventor fl'mzzv -S. 217/5070,

I flz aofizm Attorney Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

Imam s. WILSON, F CHILLICOTHE, onio.

PATENT, OFFICE.

Burma roa LOCOMOTIVES.

Application filed February 19, 1927. Serial No. 169,483;

This invention relates to improvements in buffer constructions for usebetween the locomotive and its tender.

An object of the invention resides in providing a new bufferconstruction adapted to permit access to allparts ofthe buffer andpermit removal of the parts including the buffer springs withoutrequiring detachment of the tender from the locomotive throughdisengagement of the draw bar connection therebetween. 1

This invention is designed to-relieve the necessity for disconnection ofthe tender from the locomotive when it is necessary to place shims orother wear take-up devices in the buffer mechanism in order to take upthe play in the draw bar so as to retain the proper coupling between thetender and the locomotive and the riding qualities obtained by thisproper connection.

The invention more particularly provides a special buffer structure inwhich the housing for the spring of a buffer mechanism is formed insection in such a manner that the sections may be detached to provideaccessto the springs so that they may be removed and replaced or shimsmay be placed in the housing without disconnecting the draw bar betweenthe tender and locomotive from either one.

Invention includes numerous other ob jects residing in the specificconstruction and arrangement of the parts which are more particularlypointed out in the following detailed description, and in the claimsdirected to a perferred form of the invention, it being understoodhowever, that various changes in the size, shape and relation oftheparts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as herein set forth.

In the drawings forming part of this application:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a port-ion ofa locomotive and tender showing the draw bar attaching the locomotive tothe tender in its operative position and showing the improved buffermechanism applied to the tender and engaging the locomotive in operativerelation.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, on anenlarged scale, a portion of the cover section for the spring housingbeing broken away to illustrate the details of construction of theparts.

1 indicates the platform structure at the rear end of the locomotivesuitably carried by the frame thereof and which is adapted to receivethe floor plates for the cabof the locomotive, also formed to receivethe pin 2 for securing one end of the draw bar 3 to the rear end of thelocomotive which 'isattached by means of the pin 4.- to the forward endof the frame structure 5 forming part of the water tank of the tenderfor the locomotive. An arcuate abutment 6 is formed on the rear end ofthe structure 1 of the locomotive,

and is provided in the usual construction as i now used in the art witha rib 7 along the upper edge thereof for detachably receiving theabutment block 8. This abutment block has a concaved face at 9 inopposed relation to the front end of the frame work of the tender 5 asclearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. I

This construction is of the usual character as in present use inconnection with buffer mechanisms between locomotives and tendersassociated with and cooperating with the H draw bar connection and formsno part of;

the present invention.

The improvedbulfer mechanism of this invention includes the springhousing member 10 formed of a suitable casting or heavy stamped, orheavy pored sheet material which is illustrated in the drawing as provided to receive a pair of spring units 11 in spaced parallel relationas shown in Fig. 2. This spring. housing member has a base portion 12which is seated against the front end of the frame 5 of the tender andsuitably secured thereto by bolts or the like, .while the housingsection 13 projects from this base portion and forms the lower half ofthe spring housing.

The edges of this section 13 terminate in laterally extending flanges 14provided with suitable openings for receiving the securing bolts 15adapted to removably secure the cover section 16 to said housing member,and the flanges 14. This cover section forms the otherhalf of thehousing for the spring and is positioned so as to be accessible andremovable from the top of the'frame of the locomotive, by removing thefoot plate between the tender and locomotive, forming the floor of thelocomotive cab.

The'buffer member-is indicated at 17, and includes a buffer plate 18formed of slight arcuate shape to engage the arcuate face 9 of theabutment block 8, while the laterally extending portion 19 from thisbutler plate 18 is formed'with a pair ofspringreceiving channels 20 toreceive the spring units 11.

Pockets 21 are formed at the end of the channels 20, adjacent the butterplate 18 by the flange 22 so as to effectively retain the ends of thespring units 11 in" engagement in the channels 20, while the oppositeends of the springs are effectively retained in the spring housingmember through the cooperation of the cover plate therewitl' 'it isdesired to talre up play between the ends "When of the springs and thebutter plates, the cover sections 1.0 may be removed iromthe springhousing and shims 23' inserted between the ends of the spring units andthe base plate I 12 so thatthe sorin 's will be ,maintained ,undersl ghttension ,1n tllQlGlZltlQIl otthe.

parts as shown in .hlg's. 1 and 2, in order that there \vill be no lostmotion between the parts.

ny yP of in the art may bejeniployed in connection with thisinvention.lVith the use of the improved construction as above described,

and shown in the drawings, where lost motion may be taken up in thisbutter mechanism'w thout dlsconnecting the tender from the locomotlve,as required in present a practice, eii'ecting' a considerable saving intime andlabor incident'to such operation as I compared with the presentpractice, through merely littingthe floor plates of the locomotive cab,removing the cover section 16 spring unit such as now usedwhich providesimmediate access to the spring, and permits the insertion of shims wherenecessary or the replacement of the springs.

Having thus described my invention, what I. claim as new is I 1. Abuffer mechanism for locomotives,

comprising a spring housing membert'ormed with a spring receivingsection, acover section adapted for'detachable' connection insaid.springv receivin section, abuiter unit telescopically associatedwith said, spring housing, and formed with spring unit'rece vingchannels, said cover section retaining said butter, assembly and springunit in. assembled operativerelation.

channels and casing section of said housing member, and a cover sectionfor said casing section detachably secured to said flanges, said coversection cooperating toretain-said cent the plates, spring unitsmountedin said buffer unit and spring unit mounted insaid housingmember. p

In. testimony whereo't-I aflix my signature.

HIRAM s. WILSON.

